What to Expect When Undergoing Dental Implant Surgery?

The decision to finally undergo dental implants surgery evokes mixed feelings in many. Whereas thought of finally getting a pair of implants to replace missing teeth evokes joy and reprieve, the thought of a surgeon drilling through gums sends cold shivers down the spine.

A lot of people are in desperate need of dental implants but thanks to lack of sufficient information on implant dentistry, they end up dreading the entire procedure. Myths and misconceptions on dental implant surgery have also played a vital role in discouraging people from getting dental implants. This is why this blog is dedicated to shedding light on the dental implants surgery, the procedure and what to expect before, during and after the surgery.

With the help of Dr. Seung Hyeung Son, DDS, we have listed down some of the common things to expect during dental implant surgery. Dr. Seung Hyeung Son, DDS is an experienced dentist here at Vita Dental and his insights will help you understand dental implant surgery. Here is what to expect when undergoing dental implant surgery;

Dental Implant Surgery

For starters, dental implant surgery is the process through which small titanium posts are surgically placed in the jawbone to anchor an abutment meant to replace missing teeth. The surgery is carried out by either a dental surgeon or an oral surgeon. Here is what takes place before the actual surgery;

Consultation

During this period, the dentist carefully examines a patient’s teeth to collect vital information required for the surgery. The dentist examines the number of teeth missing, the quantity of bone and takes note of the state of the other surrounding state.

This is the stage where the dentist records a patient’s health information and any history of chronic illness is recorded. Diabetics and people suffering from leukemia need special medication before undergoing any surgery because these diseases affect the healing process and this is why it is important for dentists to confirm the presence or lack thereof these illnesses. The dentist uses X-rays, CT Scans and other sophisticated technologies to diagnose and evaluate the state of the patient’s teeth.

If the dentist determines that the bone quantity and depth is not enough for surgery, he/she prepares for bone grafting. This process is aimed at improving the strength and depth of a patient’s jawbone and takes a few weeks.

Making a good impression of a patient’s teeth

An impression is a model of a patient’s dental orientation. A dentist will ask you to bite into a special type of substance which instantly creates an impression of your teeth. The impression provides a good replica of your teeth, gums and the surrounding tissue which the dentist will be working with.

Actual implanting procedure

Just like any other surgery, your dentist will administer a local anesthesia or sedative to ensure that you won’t experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure.

A dentist proceeds to create small pockets in the gaps left behind by missing teeth. Using special scalpels, the dentist makes incisions to expose the jawbone. A special drill is used to create the space into which the titanium pedestal is placed.

The small titanium ‘screw’ is then fitted into the space created and stabilize it firmly. An abutment is then attached to the screw and this is where a crown or denture will be attached. Placement of an abutment might be immediate or might be done weeks later once the bone has grown and properly anchored the titanium post.

The impression made earlier on is then used to design a crown or denture which will be attached to the abutment completing the procedure. The crown is designed to look exactly like your natural teeth and will be so identical that no one will ever tell that it is different.

Recovery process

The recovery process takes anything from a few weeks to months. The healing process will depend on a patient’s ability to take care of the new implants. During this period, it is imperative to avoid hard and crunchy foods and make regular visits to your dentist for checkups.

Even after the implants have completely become part and parcel of your dental system, you should take good care of them and maintain good oral hygiene. Failure to which your implants will require periodic replacements. Taken care of though, implants can last a lifetime and help you regain the full functionality of teeth.

There you have it! That, in a nutshell, is what you expect when undergoing dental implants surgery. A painless but slow procedure which requires a lot of patience and resilience. In the end though, the implants are worth the wait and will transform your life.

If you are in Houston and neighboring areas and are looking for the best dental implants, look no further than Vita Dental in Fry Road Katy. We offer high quality restorative procedures at affordable rates. Give us a call or pay us a visit at our offices and we will provide more information on implants and other restorative procedures.

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About Vita Dental

Vita Dental is a family-oriented, independent dentist in Katy. We here at Vita Dental consider it our mission to provide the highest-quality care to patients and their families. Courtesy, professionalism, and friendliness are our watchwords.
We treat our patients like family, because to us, they are family.